MEDT8461Project4

** Description of Project: **
Project 4 was the collection of data that would be analyzed as part of the discussion and the research paper that was Project 5 (click HERE to access Project 5). A survey was created by Dr. Danilo Baylen, professor at the University of West Georgia to gather data in regards to social media. I printed surveys and randomly gave them to five people (immediate family, relative, friend/community or other), one from each age group: Because some of the information was not as complete as I wanted, I went back to a few of the participants and orally asked them to elaborate on information so I could enter more complete information. I then entered it in to the survey link (see link above) individually. This information was then entered into a spreadsheet for Dr. Baylen and he grouped data based on age brackets (click to view). Data was then grouped by age group and Dr. Baylen provided a spreadsheet with specific data in regards to a age group. I had posted my preference in regards to what group I wanted my Project 5 to focus on, the teen group was assigned to me for Project 5. I wrote a reflection paper (see below) that included information including an introduction, selection of interviewees, interview experience, lessons learned, advice to future students and a conclusion.
 * Teen - ages 19 and younger
 * Young Adult- ages 20-29
 * Adult - ages 30-45
 * Midlifer - ages 46-59
 * Senior-age 60 and older

// Survey information gather from all age groups (specific surveys for Trice) //

// Data Collected through survey-Age bracket 13/14-19 years of age/Teen (survey information from all class participants compiled) //

The purpose of this activity was to gather information about how others use social media through answering a series of questions. The timing of the need to complete the surveys was not great because it was the last week of school and I felt that people were really busy and gave more simple answers rather than a lot of details because of time. However, when I did ask as follow up to get additional information, I found out that they really did not have additional information because their use of social media was very limited. I was actually lucky in the fact that my office was busy and I have many different types of people in and out of my office last week that I could pull from to create my interviewee pool. I purposely chose two of my colleagues that have the same job that I do and are leaders in our school. I wanted to “test” them in social media and see where they were in regards to their own technology education. I have been trying to assess my fellow leaders this spring in where they stand on this topic in education, so this survey was a good exercise for these reasons as well. I am a firm believer that if the school is trying to move towards using more technology, the leaders must model it first. I also asked my administrative assistant because she is in her mid-twenties and recently moved from California. I thought she may use social media more because she is recently out of college and may use social media to connect to her old life in California. I chose a 9th grade student who just happened to be in my office, she came in early and was waiting for the 2nd final exam period, she was texting in the office so I quickly thought she may be using social media. She also came from one of our sending schools that promotes the use of lots of technology, iPads in the classroom, and recently unveiled a 1 to 1 initiative starting next year (this was at her k-8 school). I also chose my mom because it was convenient and she was the only person that would fit the highest age bracket. I was also curious to see what she really knew about social media, it is limited so I need to help her out.
 * Introduction **

The interview experience was relatively easy, I printed off the surveys and handed them out. I gave limited information about the questions because I also wanted to see really how much information they knew without my guidance. The biggest concern was that people did not feel like they were answering well or doing it correctly because their information was limited. I explained that that was okay because I was just trying to gather data. There was some confusion about a social media user versus social media consumer. My advice that I would give to future students would include a description or reason for survey prior to beginning the survey, maybe explaining the entire reason and purpose; define user and consumer; and chose a time when people do not feel rushed and explain that the more details provided the better. Since answers were limited, I actually went back to each interviewee to try to get additional information.  I actually learned a lot about the use of social media, I assumed everyone was using it. However, most use it primarily for social reasons and are were not exposed to it in non-instructional environments (exception: one of my colleagues). A few interesting facts that I learned: Overall, I liked this exercise; I think I just assumed that everyone knew about social media tools. As I was learning that this is not really the case, I also came to the realization that certain groups of people really are not exposed to social media and/or have opportunities for training. They jump on the band wagon with what their friends may be using such as Facebook. Unless they in school themselves or using social media in their jobs, exposure may be limited. I also noticed a fear that came along with not knowing, the “unknown” and the general thought that they may avoid social media in order to protect their own identity. Also, interviewees that were involved in face to face relationships on a daily basis and their lives revolve around that (charity work, church involvement, family) did not really have a need for social media. I was also surprised (well maybe not, but disappointed) by the lack of social media in relationship to education and in the classroom.
 * Reflections and Conclusions **
 * Knowing what I know about several of the lives of the interviewees - I don't really see a need for social media so I was not surprised that they did not see much value in it.
 * I said "wow, he/she does not use social media," more than once.
 * I did not think about how people in different walks of life (not working, different ages, not in education) may not even know where to start. They may not even be exposed to tools with the exception of Facebook, Instagram or Flickr as these are good (and easy) ways to connect and share pictures with friends and family.
 * There may not be community resources or outlets to teach people about the use of social media tools.
 * I need to do some catch up in regards to using Twitter for professional resources.
 * Social media was primarily used for personal uses. I was disappointed that there was no mention of any type of social media being used from an instructional standpoint.
 * My school should be using more social media tools to help in communication; leaders need to model it first.

Social Media Project. Retrieved from [] [| mRjFIbHc6MA&ifq.]
 * References **

** Introduction, Conclusion and Reflection, References included in the below document **

 * (//same information as above in Word document//): **

About the Author:
Suzanne Trice is an Associate Dean at Pinkerton Academy in southern New Hampshire, about 35 minutes north of Boston. Her teaching experience was teaching social studies where she taught both middle and high school outside of Atlanta, Georgia in Cobb County. While teaching, she enjoyed differentiated teaching techniques and became very interested in integrating technology into her classes. After 12 years of teaching, Suzanne moved to New Hampshire, a place where she vacationed since she was 9 years old. She has had the opportunity at Pinkerton Academy to share her knowledge about technology in many different ways including writing a social media policy for both students and teachers, chairs the Technology Integration committees, and planned a Technology Workshop day for 300 staff members showcasing 18 different Web 2.0 and social media tools. It is her desire to continue her education in technology so that she can continue to provide professional development for teachers in the area of technology integration into their classroom teaching. Suzanne would like to also take her leadership experience and work in higher education working with pre-service teachers in the use of technology in education.